Microglia in Alzheimer's disease: pathogenesis, mechanisms, and therapeutic potentials

Jifei Miao; Haixia Ma; Yang Yang; Yuanpin Liao; Cui Lin; Juanxia Zheng; Muli Yu; Jiao Lan

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2023.1201982

Microglia in Alzheimer's disease: pathogenesis, mechanisms, and therapeutic potentials

Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 Jun 15:15:1201982. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1201982. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Jifei Miao^{1

2}, Haixia Ma³, Yang Yang³, Yuanpin Liao³, Cui Lin¹, Juanxia Zheng¹, Muli Yu¹, Jiao Lan¹

Affiliations

¹ Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China.
² School of Chemical Biology and Biotechnology, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, Shenzhen, China.
³ Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by protein aggregation in the brain. Recent studies have revealed the critical role of microglia in AD pathogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current understanding of microglial involvement in AD, focusing on genetic determinants, phenotypic state, phagocytic capacity, neuroinflammatory response, and impact on synaptic plasticity and neuronal regulation. Furthermore, recent developments in drug discovery targeting microglia in AD are reviewed, highlighting potential avenues for therapeutic intervention. This review emphasizes the essential role of microglia in AD and provides insights into potential treatments.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid-beta; microglia; neuroinflammation; phagocytosis.

Publication types

Review